Beauty and The Beast

Chapter 5

Hermione gave the dresser and twirl. The dresser gushed over how beautiful she looked. Then complain of how the beast hates dresses and prefers to dress like a man, she blames her father always wanted a boy. Hermione was told to follow Severus and meet the beast at the steps. Hermione watched the beast get nudged by Andy to walk down the steps meeting her at the bottom. Holding her arm out Hermione locked arms and descend down the flight of stairs. The footrest barked happily and ran in front of them. Chuckling the two walked to the dining room for supper. The coat rack played beautiful music on the violin while the two ate. Hermione with a mix of giddiness and happiness watched the beast take her last bite before getting up and leading her to the ballroom. They both turned to one another both a little scared. The room turned to a soft glow and orchestra scattered around the ceiling plaid softly. Narcissa rested on the cart hidden away softy singing to her son Draco, Andy, and Severus, and anyone else who was close by.

"Tale as old as time. True as it can be. Barely even friends, then somebody bends unexpectedly..."

Hermione smile widened as she saw the beast swallow when she placed her clawed hand on her waist.

"Just a little change. Small to say the least. Both a little scared. Neither one prepared."

They watched the two dance around. The black eyed woman surprised Hermione by lifting her into the air spinning around. Once back on the floor Hermione placed her head on the beast's chest. She could hear it skip a beat and start back up a little faster. The beast looked to her servants with a wide grin. No one was bothered by the show of fangs. Andy moved her arms like a heart beating out of her chest, Severus smiled and gave thumbs up. Narcissa gave a warm smile at the two. Hermione looked the three and her face became warm. She saw what Andy did, she thought she was signing to her, not to her dance partner. Looking up at said partner she smiled, her eyes locked on dark ones. They both smiled and walked out to the ledge overlooking the garden. They both sat down bodies facing one another but eyes looking at the snow-covered grass.

"Hermione ," she looked at the beast. "Are you happy here?"

"Yes.." Hermione looked down.

The beast felt her heart flutter, but looking at Hermione her smile turned to a frown.

"But?"

"Can one truly be happy if they aren't free?"

They both looked away. One ashamed and the other feeling like they ruined a perfectly good evening.

"My papa taught me to dance." She told the beast.

"Would you like to see him?"

Hermione gave her a raised eyebrow. Smiling softly she grabbed Hermione's hand and walked her back to her room in the west wing. It was cleaner than before. She gave Hermione a silver and green mirror.

"You ask it to see anything to want." The beast instructed.

Bayla looked at the mirror and pleaded to herself that it worked.

"I liked to see my father, please."

The mirror glowed green and an image of her father lost in the woods showed.

"Papa!" She exclaimed.

The beast looked worried.

"He's sick and lost. He's all alone."

The beast looked at the glowing rose her eyes burned with tears knowing what she must do.

"Then you must go to him."

"What did you say?" Hermione couldn't believe what she was hearing.

"Go, I set you free. You are no longer my prisoner."